CSA Stir Fry

I’d like to think I’m cool. There are many reasons why. One reason: I’m part of a CSA (for a complete list of reasons why I’m cool…just send me an email. There are 67).

CSA’s (or Community Sustained Agriculture) are these awesome buy-in programs that few people know about. Heck, I had never heard of one until about 2 years ago.

What you do is this: find a local farm (that is a participating CSA), pay anywhere from $200-$600 at the beginning of the growing season (Feb-April) to buy a “share” of what they produce, then receive 20 some-odd weeks’ worth of farm fresh produce (this ends up only costing you about $10-$30 a week in produce…which is a SWEET bargain). We bought a half-share from our local CSA and barely finish all our produce in a weeks time.

They’re fantastic. Everyone should join one. Want to know if there are CSA’s near you? Click Here!

I absolutely love being a part of a CSA. Every week we pick up a small bin FULL of farm fresh produce. It’s pretty much the greatest thing ever!

What you’ll need:

-Broccoli, Turnips, Snap Peas, Carrots, Bok Choy, Kholrabi, Radishes, Zucchini, Summer Squash or whatever produce you find in your CSA bin (Usually I use 3 different types of veggies)

– approx. 1/2 c Udon Noodles*; uncooked

-3 cloves of garlic; chopped

-1 uncooked chicken breast: chopped up

-1 tbs corn starch

-1/2 c warm water

-1 tsp ground ginger

-1 tsp black pepper

-1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

-1 tsp ground garlic powder; plus additional teaspoon to use in stir fry sauce

-1/4 tsp salt

-3 tbs soy sauce

-1 tbs teriyaki; plus additional tablespoon to use when frying

-1 tbs honey

-2 tsp wok oil; plus additional wok oil for frying

-1/4 tsp better than bouillon: of the low sodium chicken variety

First things first, do you own a wok? If not, go buy on. They are an absolute essential in any kitchen; plus, they really aren’t that pricey. You can definitely find a great one for around $20. Ok…go buy one.

In a medium bowl: combine the cornstarch, water, ginger, salt, garlic powder, pepper flakes, teriyaki and chicken. Set aside and let “mingle” for about 10-15 minutes. Use this time to wash and chop up your CSA produce. (I like to chop up everything to relatively uniform pieces; they cook faster this way)

Now, put about 1 tablespoon wok oil (oil infused with garlic and ginger) into your *cool* wok with the chopped up garlic; turn the burner to high heat. While the wok is heating up, add water to a medium sauce pan and turn to medium-high heat. Also, mix your sauce ingredients together in a small bowl (soy sauce, honey, better than bouillon, garlic powder, teriyaki, oil and a few grinds of black pepper). Set aside.

Once the oil is heated (and your garlic is popping), add the chicken (but not the left over cornstarch liquid).

Using a large wooden spoon (or wooden spatula) frequently stir the chicken as it fries in the oil (Stir Fry…get it?!). Cook until the chicken is browned; about 5-7 minutes.

Add your chopped up veggies. Add another drizzle of oil and a dash of teriyaki. Continue to stir everything frequently; cook for an additional 3-5 minutes.

While the veggies and chicken continue to “fry” together; add your Udon noodles to your (hopefully no boiling) water. Cook the noodles for 5 minutes.

(Turn your heat down to low) Once the noodles are done, drain and add to the wok. Add your sauce to the wok now too. Stir everything together. Let sit for 1-2 minutes. This helps the noodles and sauce to heat up.

Spoon into 2 large bowls. Add Chopsticks. Enjoy.

(Serves 2)

*Don’t have Udon noodles? You can also use whole wheat thin spaghetti or penne!

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Farmageddon: The end of sustainable farming in the US?

First, Check out this movie trailer

Pretty scary stuff, right?

We are aware that small, local farms are all but non-existent today; but do we really understand why?

Large factory farms are the current “norm” in this country; mass-producing our meats, grains, and vegetables. It may cost less for us, the consumer (though, not by much…or not at all); but what is the real cost? Our health? Our integrity? Our future? Our children’s future?

We all deserve to have *better* food available to us. Food that isn’t full of growth hormones. Food that isn’t covered in chemicals. Food that will make us feel better; not worse. Food that is safe to eat!

Think before you eat; Think before you buy.

Buy Local (when you can).

Don’t know where to find locally grown produce and meat? Want to join a CSA? Click Here!

**Check out the movie: Food, Inc (it’s also available for instant watch on Netflix)**

Remember: Ignorance may be bliss, but Knowledge is power!

**Here are my closing thoughts:

1)I think it’s pretty absurd that Raw Milk (unpasteurized) is straight up illegal in some states; but then again I also think it’s absurd that homebirth is straight up illegal in some states. I, personally, don’t really have any desire to drink raw milk; but that’s because I don’t like drinking milk of any kind. Milk weirds me out. Except breastmilk, that doesn’t weird me out (it only weirds me out after I’ve pumped a bottle and the foremilk and hindmilk have separated…until you shake it. Once again, milk is weird). Sure, there  *may be* an inherent risk with consuming raw anything BUT I think it’s riskier to consume chemical-laced food products that are chock full of hormones; but that’s just me. I also think it’s absurd that Raw Milk (aka Real Milk) is illegal BUT it’s 100% ok to put High Fructose Corn Syrup and Red Dye 40 in just about everything. The long term health effects of consuming HFCS, Red40, and other garbage like that is WAY worse then the *risk* of Raw Milk. Sure, it *might* have E. Coli (which is a very real, and very scary thing) in it; but so might that Mickie D’s beef patty (at least Raw Milk doesn’t have ground up hooves in it…I’m just sayin’). In fact, if you’re consuming Raw Milk you more than likely know which farm your milk came from; heck, you might even know the cow! I bet you can’t say the same for the pasteurized milk (or cheese, butter, meat, etc) that’s in your fridge at the moment. I say, let them have their Raw Milk!

2) Another Milk Rant: Seriously?! Raw milk is illegal? I just can’t get over that. Milk is one of the most non-threatening things ever. That’s like saying that saltines are dangerous; or vanilla ice cream. Firearms are legal…but milk isn’t? Cigarettes are legal, but milk isn’t? Heck, in some places it is NOT illegal to own a monkey (which we all know can LITERALLY rip your face, arms and testicles off) BUT raw milk isn’t legal. Those hippies man, they’re a dangerous bunch. With their communal living, Birkenstock sandals, painted buses and RAW MILK….terrifying.

3)How much did you love that one farmer? The one who talked about how beautiful a small, local farm is. With all the chickens in the background. Man, That guy rocked. He’s in Food Inc too…you should watch Food, Inc.

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